Awards

Like most professional bodies, the International Plant Production Society recognizes outstanding achievement by the younger section of our industry. The IPPS does this through the Rod Tallis Youth Award which is presented annually to the most commendable achievement by a person over 18 years of age who is working or studying in horticulture.

The award is named after one of the Society’s most respected members, Rod Tallis. Rod was an avid nurseryman with a passion for plant propagating, for the IPPS and for the youth of our industry. He was a mainstay in many of the early conferences and made significant contributions to Plant propagation in Australia before his sudden death in 1981.

The winner will have completed a research project, written an article or series of articles or developed a new process or product. They will then write up their work in a paper to be presented at the next IPPS conference.

The paper will be assessed on issues or clarity, originality and relevance to the industry. The achievements of the applicant to date will also be reviewed.

• Elliott Akintola was the winner for 2023 at GEELONG, VIC CONFERENCE.
• Lisa Wightwick was the winner for 2024 at BALLINA, NSW CONFERENCE.
• Bridie Franks was the winner for 2025 at CAIRNS, OLD CONFERENCE.

They will have their airfare accommodation and conference registration paid for. They will also receive one year’s membership to the IPPS and a commemorative plaque.

Many of the previous winners have gone onto establish very successful careers in horticulture around Australia. One of these winners will assist the successful applicant in preparing and delivering their paper.

If you are over 18 years of age and are involved in anything that may fit the above criteria then you should apply. If you know of anyone; friend, family member, employee or student that fits the above criteria then encourage them to apply.

Simply applying will help the applicant focus on their work and their careers.

Background

The Australian region has been awarding individuals who have made a significant contribution to the society for many years. This has been in the past a certificate that they can frame and hang on a wall.

Discussion by the IPPS directors supported an idea to have the award a more significant physical entity. This is now presented to directors.

Trophy Design

An individually selected free form piece of rare Australian native timber (eg. red cedar, teak, blackwood etc) forms the background for the trophy. Onto this is placed the cast of the IPPS logo and the other a simple statement that this is the award of honour. The recipients name will be cast or engraved onto the award.

This timber will be able to be hung on a wall, or supported above another piece of timber by two brass rods making it able to be positioned on a cabinet or table.

The actual size will obviously vary, but to give an idea the round IPPS logo is about 100mmm in diameter.

Design Concept

The concept is that the award is given to individual effort. This will be reflected in the fact that each piece of wood will be individually selected, and a rare commodity. The IPPS logo firmly stamps it as our award and the name recognition personalizes the piece

IPPS Conference 6 Pack Youth Initiative

Sponsored by:

GARDEN CITY PLASTICS

IPPS Australia offers the opportunity for 6 young propagators to come to the Annual Conference each year for no charge!

If you have a passion for horticulture, would like to meet the best in the field and learn plenty at the same time then this is for you. In return for conference registration, accommodation and travel assistance, we ask that you support the conference organisers to make the event run as smoothly as possible. You will be helping the trade show set up, delegate registration, handling microphones and the other small jobs that need to be completed. Nothing too hard and there will be plenty of time to enjoy the conference.

To be a candidate for the HOBART, TASMANIA Conference 6 Pack you must be 18 years of age, be nominated by your employer by completion of the following Nomination Form and complete the candidate information sheet. Applications for 2026 in HOBART, TASMANIA ARE NOW OPEN.  APPLICATIONS CLOSE 13.02.2026.

IPPS 2026 Conference Organisers C/- Ms Pam Berryman
27 Petunia Crescent
MT. COTTON QLD 4165
Mobile: 0412993386

Email: pam@ipps.org.au

Steve Vallance Pewter Tankard Award

The Pewter Tankard Award of the IPPS Australian Region is an annual award that is presented to a member for their extraordinary contribution to the Region over the previous twelve months. There will be a committee that shall consist of the President, Chair of the Awards Committee and Chief Executive Officer. The President will be the Chairman of this committee and is responsible for contacting the committee members at least four months prior to the Annual Conference to select the recipient of the award.

The President is responsible for introducing the winner along with an acknowledgment of the winner’s past experiences and service to the Society. If appropriate the President may select another member of the Society to undertake this task.

The recipient must;

• be a financial member of the Society
• not have previously won the award

The Pewter Tankard may be awarded annually if there is a suitable candidate. The Award is presented by the President during the Annual Dinner held at the Annual Conference.

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Edward & Mary Bunker Award

The focus of the Edward and Mary Bunker Award is to recognize an outstanding contribution from someone who has demonstrated the IPPS moto ‘To Seek and To Share’ for the betterment of the Industry at large. The selection criteria are not limited, and could include any of the following or other related categories:

1. Innovation and development in plant propagation, production, or nursery systems,
2. Mentoring new propagators, promoting horticultural training, education and extension
3. Plant breeding that has impacted Australian or International markets or resulted in the introduction of new plants or varieties to Australia
4. Facilitation of market access within Australia or internationally
5. Innovation or problem solving in any aspect of business including WHS, transport, logistics, supply chain management, new technologies, etc.

Although preference for awarding the Edward and Mary Bunker Award should be given to IPPS members, candidates from outside the Society should be considered on merit against the listed criteria. It is considered that opening this award to non-members will raise awareness and recognition of IPPS throughout a wider expanse of Horticultural Industries.

The Edward and Mary Bunker Award need not be awarded annually, but will be awarded on merit when suitable candidates who meet the selection criteria have been identified and selected by the Awards Committee. The format of the Edward and Mary Bunker Award will be a suitably marked, printed, or engraved certificate or trophy which will be presented to the recipient by the President of IPPS and which will reside with the recipient in perpetuity.

GREAT  OPPORTUNITY  FOR  YOUNG  PROPAGATOR 

IPPS  SOUTH AFRICAN  EXCHANGEE  2026
                                                                                                                                                                                               

NOMINATION FORM

South Africa Exchangee 2026

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 31st DECEMBER 2025

IPPS, Australia and IPPS, Southern Africa have established an exchange program.  The intent is to have propagators at the start of their career gain experience of each other’s industry and to build a better understanding of each country.

In 2026 a propagator from Australia will visit South Africa and be hosted by a local nursery industry family.  They will work with South African propagators as well as visit gardens and other places of botanic interest.  More details on the South Africa conference will be advised later in the year as there conference is held in March of that year.

Come and join South Africa Regions Conference for an IPPS experience of a lifetime!

The short tour includes the Southern Africa Annual Conference.

Past candidates for 2024 were: Joshua Taylor from Peninsula Growers, VIC

AND Nosipho Ndlovu from SANBI, South Africa.

Nosipho Ndlovu from SANBI, South Africa at Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast QLD

The 2026 South Africa Annual conference is being held in Malmesbury, Western Cape from 3rd to 5th March 2026. You must be able to travel to South Africa in February/March 2026 and attend our May Conference in HOBART, TAS from 26^th to 29th May 2026

Candidate Name
Postal Address
Phone Contact
Alternate phone contact
Email Address
Date of Birth
Employer
Employer person contact
Employer phone contact

Are you able to travel to South Africa in February/March 2026?

Do you have a current passport?

Does your employer support this application?

Detail your background in horticulture, including training and work experience.

Why would you like to travel to South Africa?

For more information please contact:

DAVID DALY on M: 0490 342 327    Email:  david@conifer.com.au

JOHN MESSINA on M: 0490 839 002  Email: johnmessina30@gmail.com

Please attach extra pages if necessary and any supporting documents you think maybe relevant.